Juniper Networks has signed definitive agreements to acquire Peribit Networks, a leader in wide area network (WAN) optimisation technology, and Redline Networks, a pioneer in the development of Application Front End (AFE) technology. Peribit has 900 customers, 150 of which are Fortune 1000 firms and has made significant inroads into the Middle East market, with a number of wins in the financial and oil & gas sector in the last year. Customers will be watching events closely and will no doubt have many questions about the acquisition. The Peribit Networks acquisition is valued at approximately US$337 million in cash, stock and assumed stock options. The Redline Networks acquisition is valued at approximately US$132 million in cash and assumed stock options. Although both acquired companies, which were formed in 2000, have yet to generate large revenues, many analysts have tipped the WAN optimisation and applications acceleration markets for marked growth in the coming years. “Juniper Networks is capitalising on its leadership position to redefine the networking market,” says Scott Kriens, chairman and CEO, Juniper Networks. “The addition of application acceleration technologies to Juniper Networks’ best-in-class routing and security solutions is a natural extension of our traffic processing strategy. We are raising the bar on what users can and should expect from the network,” he adds. Juniper will take on employees from the acquired companies and form a new business unit called the Applications Products Group.